Over 260,000 Scots Unemployed Due to Long-Term Illness or Disability

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Over a quarter of a million working-age Scots are currently out of the workforce due to long-term illness or disability, underscoring the urgent need for targeted support and practical reforms to tackle rising economic inactivity.

Recent figures estimate that 269,000 individuals in Scotland between the ages of 16 and 64 have reported being economically inactive due to health issues or permanent disabilities. This accounts for roughly one-third of the nation’s non-working population within that age group. The impact is widespread, with high numbers concentrated in cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and regions including North and South Lanarkshire, as well as Fife.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Jamie Greene, who brought the figures to light, expressed concern over the growing divide between social support spending and actual healthcare access. Greene noted, “There are huge numbers who are economically inactive because they are off long-term sick. If they got the right care, the right mental health support or the right career advice, they could find a role that fits them and their needs.”

Critics argue that the solution lies not in expanding entitlement programs but in strengthening services that help individuals reenter the workforce. This includes prioritising mental health support, reducing wait times for autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnoses, and increasing access to personalised employment assistance.

Data suggests that over £1.3 billion is being spent annually on disability-related payments for mental health conditions, while a fraction of that amount goes into actual treatment services through the National Health Service (NHS). This imbalance, some argue, highlights a systemic failure to invest in outcomes that help individuals reclaim their independence and contribute productively to society.

Roz Foyer, General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), emphasised the importance of funding healthcare without undermining essential social security. She warned against shifting resources away from support payments, arguing that “disability payments are a lifeline” and that reducing them risks pushing people deeper into poor health.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has pledged to enhance support services, including rolling out specialised employability programs across all 32 local authorities starting in July 2025. A government spokesperson noted that while not everyone will be able to work due to health limitations, efforts are underway to remove barriers for those who can.

As Scotland faces a projected £2.2 billion gap in public finances by 2030, discussions continue about how best to balance compassion with fiscal responsibility. Increasing economic participation through tailored health and employment interventions may offer a path forward that benefits both individuals and the wider economy.